Lip wound

I accidently bit my inside lower lip several weeks ago and the wound is slow to heal.  The wound it self seems to have a purple and white color to it.  The area around it is also swollen and I've applied ice to it but this doesn't seem to bring the swelling down.  It really isn't painful but it looks like I have a huge growth on my inside lip and it looks weird. Any thoughts on how I can get rid of this.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You may have developed a traumatic cyst--a fluid-filled sac brought on by biting.  This isn't serious, but won't go away on its own.  A dermatologist can diagnose this for you and probably treat it very simply if necessary using electrocautery.  (Of course, it may not be a cyst, in which case medical treatment with creams and such may do the trick.)

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[rlthj]

That exact same thing happened to me a few months ago!! My doctor had no idea what it was. He even tested it for herpes to see if it was a cold sore. It wasn't and he couldn't tell me what it was. He put me on antibiotics though and it went away finally. Glad to know what it is called.